Basket structures



May 28, 1957 J. GERALDS 2,793,761

BASKET STRUCTURES Filed MarCh 10, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l8 INVENTOR.

JA-RRY 65164405 May 28, 1957 J. GERALDS BASKET STRUCTURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1955 INVENTOR.

v Jffifiy 6[/P14Z0$ BY y 8, 1957 J. GERALDS 2,793,761

BASKET STRUCTURES Filed March l0, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

May 28, 1957 J. GERALDS BASKET STRUCTURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 10. 1955 IN V EN TOR.

Jffil? Y 66764105 BY 22% M A 7' 7' ORA 6' Y 2,793,761 Patented May 28, 1957- United States Patent ice This invention relates to basket structures and more particularlyto open wire baskets embodying novel suspension means for supporting articles so that the articles maybe transported, cleaned, and stored in the baskets without damage.

-Wire baskets for shop and factory use are now well known in the art and reference is made to my two patents numbered 2,364,705 and 2,440,507 for a fairly extensive survey of the needs filled by open wire baskets.

Open wire baskets are particularly suited for use in the manufacture of large numbers of a specific article because the open construction of the baskets permits one to ascertain at a glance the contents of a particular basket and also permits the articles contained in the basket to be processed and cleaned without the necessity of removingthe articles from the baskets. The open wire construction also produces a basket which is light in weight permitting efficient conveying of the contained articles through various manufacturing stages.

Despite the-many advantages of open wire baskets there have been instances heretofore where it was not practical to make use of them. These instances are those wherein the parts to be manufactured are so small that they could slip through the openings of the basket and when the manufactured part is of such critical and delicate nature that it would be unwise to permit it to lie loosely in a basket either alone or in groups. It is commercially unfeasibleto construct one basket capable of handling such small and delicate parts because of the cost in manufacturing the basket. To overcome this difiiculty the instant baskets have been devised and it is animportant object'of this invention to provide a basket which is capable of handling not only single small and delicate objects but also a plurality of small and delicate objects in the same basket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a basket having article suspending rods or spits upon which articles may safely be placed.

Another object'of the invention is to provide a basket havingmeans ,for keeping the rods or spits in the desired position in the basket.

A further object of the invention is to provide a basket having article supporting rods or spits whose positions may be varied to' accommodate articles of different size.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a basket having article supporting rods or spits which are hingedly secured to a portion of the basket so that articles conveniently and quickly may be placed on the spits. V

A further object of the invention is to provide a basket equipped with double supporting rods or spits enabling a single basket to accommodate a great number of articles individually suspended from the spits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a basket equipped with article supporting rods or spits which have means thereon to prevent displacement of a suspended article relative tothe spit- V An additional object of the invention is to provide a basket equipped with article supporting rods or spits wherein the basket is provided with auxiliary bracing means to provide additional support for the spit-s.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a basket equippedwith article supporting rods or spits wherein a loaded basket may be stacked with other baskets without interference either with the spits or with the articles supported on the spits.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a basket equipped with article supporting rods or spits wherein the basket embodies a fool-proof stacking fea ture.

These and other objects and advantages will be specificially pointed out or will become apparent asfthe description proceeds when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1: is a top plan view of one form of basket;

Fig. 2 is a side elevationalview of the basket shown in Fig. 1; I

' Fig. '3 is a cross-sectional end view of the basket taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified form of basket;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the basket taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the basket taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of basket;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of the basket taken 7 taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in Figs. 1-3 is shown an open wire framework basket 10 having a substantially rectangular rod frame element 11 of the closed loop' type. Extending longitudinally of the frame element and supporting same are a pair of U-shaped rod supports 12 and 13 which are welded to the frame 10 and hold it in spaced relation to the rod webs 15 and 16 of the U-shaped supports 12 and 13, respectively.

The basket may be-provided with a plurality of'transversely extending, longitudinally spaced auxiliary U- shaped rod supports 17 which may be Welded to the frame element 11 and to the rod supports 12 and 13 to provide a rigid structure. Interposed between element 11 and the webs of the rod supports 12, 13, and 17 is a rectangular rod loop 18 disposed outside the upturned legs of the U-shaped auxiliary supports 17 and welded thereto. The loop 18 is welded at one end 19 to the upturned legs of supports 12 and 13 but is free at its other hinge end 20 as will be :seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

The basket 10 is provided with a substantially U- connection it is important to note that the handle and runner assembly 21 is provided with a horizontal, trans F versely extending bar 22 .at each end thereof. The purpose of the bar 22 isto prevent one basket from being If onebasket 1s attempted to be placed on another improper position, 1

stacked out of line with another basket.

the bar 22 will come in contact with the handle 23 of the lower basket and prevent the upper basket from seating on the lower. Because the upper basket will seat on the lower basket only if properly'placed thereon, a workman charged with stacking the baskets will be able to ascertain at once whether or not the upper basket is'properly positioned because improper positioning prevents the upper basket frombeing stacked on the lower basket. Thus there is no danger that. a large pile. of'baskets will topple over due to improper stacking of one of them.

Referring now to the free'hinge end 20 of loop 18, it will be observed that the portion of the loop beyond the last auxiliary support 17 is slightly upwardly directed. This offset is made to permit proper functioning of the supporting bars or spits 24 as will be made apparent hereinafter.

The basket is provided witha plurality of longitudinally extending bars or-spits24 which are slidably and hingedly secured to the free, end 20 of loop 18 by means of a loop 25 at the endof eachspit 24, the loop 25 encircling the transversely extending segment of the loop 18. The loop 18 is provided adjacent its free end 20 with an indexing or positioning comb 26 which comprises a pair of transversely extending bars 27 having a plurality of spacing teeth 28-secured therebetween. Two of the teeth 28 extend downwardly and are secured to the bar 22 to provide stability to the comb 26.

The otherend 19 of the loop 18.is provided with a transversely extending cage 29 which comprises a .pair of bars 30 having a plurality of spacing teeth 31 secured therebetween and spaced to correspond with the teeth 28 of comb 26. The upper ends of teeth 31 are bent outwardly of the basket and are secured to a bar 32 which is in turn secured to the supports 12 and 13and to the handle assembly 21. Two of the teeth 31 are extended downwardly to bar 22 and secured thereto to provide stability for the cage 29.

When the basket 10 is to be'usedeither fortransporting, processing, or storage, one of the spits 24 is lifted at its free end and rocked about its hinged connection on hinge bar or loop 18, the article is run onto the spit 24, and the spit 24 is then rocked about its hingeso as to lie between two of the teeth 28 in the comb 26 and between two corresponding teeth 31 of cage 29. Because of the slight upward offset at the end 20 of loop 18, the

spit 24 lies fiat on the parallel'bars 27 and 30 0f both the comb and the cage, respectively, without any strain being imposed on either the spit or the bars.

If the articles to be suspended from the spits 24 are relatively small, a plurality of them may be placed on each of the spits with which the basket is. equipped. If the articles are too large to make use of all the spits, however, the spits may be spaced farther apartmerely by lifting their free ends so that the spits are free, of the teeth in the cage and the comb and then sliding the loops 25 to the desired position. In this connection .attention is directed to the storage spaces .at 'each side of the comb and thecage where there are noteeth. When less than all the spits are to be used,,those which are to be idle may be moved to the sides of the basket and stored closely together in the storage spaces out of the Way of the other spits and the articles suspended therefrom.

In Figs. 4-6 is illustrated a modified form of basket 110 comprising a rectangular loop frame element 111, U-shaped supports 112, 113, auxiliary supports 117, and a runner and handle assembly 121 all substantially the same as described in connection with Figs. 1-3. Basket 110, however, is provided with a .rectangular loop 118 which is secured atboth ends to the supports 112, 113 and to therrunner and handle assembly 121.

Secured adjacent one end of loop 118 is a cage '12) formed in the same manner as cage 29 of Figs. 1-3. At the opposite endof loop 118 is a comb structure 126 formed the same ascomb 26 exceptthatall the teeth128 of comb 126 extend downwardly rather than upwardly. Extending transversely across basket adjacent comb 126 is a spit supporting bar 135 which is secured at its ends to loop 118. Spits 124 are slidably and hingedly secured to supporting bar 135 by means of a loop 125 at the end of each spit, the loop encircling bar 135. Each spit 124 is provided at the loop end with an extension 1240 which extends beyond spit 124 and under the parallel bars 127 of the comb 126.

When using the modified form of basket 110, the spit 124 is rocked about its hinge 125 to a point where extension 12411 engages a stop bar 136 so that the spit assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Spit 124 will remain in this position by itself permitting the workman to utilize both hands to place an article on the spit. Once the spit is loaded, it is rocked about its hinge 125 so that extension 124a enters the space between two teeth 128 in comb 126 and the free end of the spit enters a corresponding space between the teeth 131 of cage 129 so that the spit is securely retained in'the proper position. relatively heavy articles and to prevent the spits 124- from bendingunder the strain imposed by the heavy weight, auxiliary supports 137 are provided.

Auxiliary supports 137 comprise fairly thin rodsof wire which extend transversely across basket 110 and which have their end portions looped about loop 118 so that supports 137 may be moved longitudinally of the basket to provide support for the spits .124 at those points where additional support is required. Auxiliary supports 137 may also serve to spacearticles along the length of the spits.

As in basket 10 of Figs. 1-3, basket 110 is provided with the fool-proof stacking bar 122 which prevents out of line stacking and which also serves as an anchor for certain of the teeth 128 and 131 of the comb and cage, respectively, to provide stability for those elements. Also in basket 110 space is provided at each side of the comb and cage in which the unused spits may be stored without interference with the other spitsnand the articles suspended therefrom.

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 disclose another modified form of basket 210 in which the basic structure of a rectangular frame element 211 is supported by-apair of U-shaped supports 212, 213 and by a handle and runner assembly 221 embodying the novel stacking bar.222 to prevent out of line stacking of the basket 210 with other baskets. The handle assembly 221 is provided with centered peaks 223 so that the basket 210 maybe suspended and transported by an overhead transport system. Basket 210 also utilizes auxiliary supports 217 in the same manner as those described in connection .with baskets 10 and 110.

Basket 210 is equipped with a rectangular loop 218 which is secured at each end to supports .212, 213, and to handle assembly 221 and which alsois secured at one side to auxiliary supports 217, the. other side being free. The free side 220 of loop 218 is provided with a comb 226 having a plurality of closed looplteeth 228 secured between a pairof parallel bars 227 which inturn are secured at their ends to loop 218. One of the closed loop teeth 228, preferably the central tooth, is extended downwardly and secured to support 212 tostabilizethe. comb 226. The closed loop construction of the teeth 228 provides greater rigidity to the teeth and eliminates the possibility of a workman raking his hand across the teeth and being injured thereby,

The opposite side of the loop 2181s equipped with a cage 229 which is identical to the comb 226except the cage is supported nearer the edge of the loop 218 than is the comb. One of the teeth 23,1 of the cage extends downwardly and is secured to the support 213 to make the cage rigid.

Slidably and hingedly secured to thefree side 220 of Basket 11*!) is adapted to be used for loop 218 by means of loops 225are a plurality of transversely extending spits 224 which are supported at their free ends between the teeth 231 of cage 229 on parallel bars 230. The free side 220 .of loop 218 is bent slightly upwardly so that the spits 224 may extend from one side to the other and rest upon the two sets of parallel bars 227 and 230 without strain.

Basket 210 is particularly usefulfor small objects because the closed loop teeth provide uniform spacing with rigid retention of the spits 224. Owing to the fact that thefree side of loop 218 is inwardlyof frame 211, the spits may be elevated and rested against frame 211 enabling the workman to use bothhands to load the basketf It is contemplated that basket 210 will be used primarily for small objects whose diameter-is less than the spacing of the teeth in the comband Cage. Larger objects may be suspended from the spits, however, and the unused spits. may be stored in thespaces at either end of-the comb and cage. i s.

i The basket 310 illustrated in Figs. 10, 11, and '12 comprises the samebasic structure of arectangular frame element 311 supported by U-sliaped supports 312, 313, a runner and handle'assembly 321, and auxiliary supports 317, but the spit assembly 324 is somewhat different.

Thespit structure 324 comprises a plurality of elongated U-shaped spits 350 each of which is provided with a sleeve 351 adjacent the upper bend of the U and which loosely receives a bar 352 secured at its ends to the last auxiliary support 317. The U-shaped or double spits 350 are arranged on bar 352 so as to extend longitudinally of the basket and each sleeve 351 abuts the next so that the lateral spacing of the spits 350 remains uniform.

The upper spits 350 are slightly longer than the lower spits and rest on upper bar 353 between closed loop teeth 354 which are secured to upper bar 353 and to lower bar 359. It is important to note at this point that upper bar 353 is secured to the first auxiliary support 317 outwardly thereof and that lower bar 359 is secured to the same auxiliary support inwardly thereof. This arrangement provides support for both the upper spit and the lower spit and enables both spits to be rocked about bar 352 without the upper spit support 353 interfering with the lower spit.

The frame 311 is provided at that end adjacent the open ends of the spits with a, locking means to prevent accidental displacement of the spits. The locking means comprises a U-shaped bail 355 lying atop the frame 311 and being retained in position by means of collars 356 secured to the frame 311 and adapted to receive the legs of the bail. After the spits have been loaded and returned to horizontal position, the bail is slid along the top of the frame toward the center of the basket so that the web of the bail lies across the ends of the upper spits thereby preventing the spits from being rocked about bar 352. The bail is prevented from being separated from the frame by the handle assembly 321 against which the bail abuts when in the unlocked position as shown in Fig. 10.

Basket 310 is adapted to be stacked as are the other baskets herein disclosed, and to prevent basket 310 from causing a cocked stacking with other baskets because of the bail 355 lying atop one end of the frame, the other end of the frame is equipped with a bar 357 of a diameter equal to that of bail 355 so that both ends of a basket stacked atop basket 310 will be at the same level. Basket 310 also embodies the bar 322 associated with the handle assembly to prevent out of line stacking with other baskets.

An important feature of basket 310 is the corrugation of the spits 350. The corrugations permit articles to be spaced longitudinally of the spits themselves and have the spacing maintained. Although the corrugated spits have been illustrated only in connection with basket 310, it is obvious that baskets 10, 110, and 210 also may utilize corrugated spits;

The baskets disclosed herein provide means for individually supporting articles which are too small for conventional baskets or whichare too delicate to be placed loosely in a basket singly or in groups without risking injury to the articles. It should be understood, however,

that the first three baskets disclosed herein may be used not only for individual suspension of each article but also may be used as baskets wherein articles are merely placed therein through the expedient of storing the spits in the spaces at either side of the cages and combs. Further- Although I have disclosed my invention in detail, in-

cluding several modifications thereof, it'should be understood that this description is illustrative only, the invention being defined in the appended claims. v

1. An open mesh basket structure capable of suspending articles in adjustable spacedrelationship above the bottom'thereof and capable of displacing the suspension means to clear the area above the bottom thereof so that articles can' easily be placed on the bottom thereof, comprising'spaced lateral web rods, upstanding extensions of said lateral rods .constituting side members, spaced longitudinal bottom rods, upstanding extension of said longitudinal rods constituting end members, a frame connected to the ends of said upstanding extensions; said lateral and longitudinal web rods crossing one another and constituting a mesh bottom for supporting articles; a hinge bar adjacent one end of said basket, spit bars sidewise slidably and vertically pivotally mounted on said hinge bar, and a rest bar disposed at the other end of said basket opposite said hinge bar adapted to support the free ends of said spit bars when in a substantially horizontal position; said spit bars being adapted to be moved sidewise to any desired spaced relationship relative to each other and the sides of said basket so as to be capable of selectively supporting various size objects in non-contacting relationship over the bottom of said basket and so that said spit bars can be moved closely adjacent the sides of said basket and each other so as to clear the area over the bottom of said basket to facilitate disposing articles on the bottom of said basket, support bars transversely disposed relative to said spit bars adapted for longitudinal movement relative to said spit bars so as to constitute supports for said spit bars intermediate the ends thereof and to also constitute spacer means for longitudinally positioning objects intermediate the ends of said spit bars.

2. An open mesh basket structure capable of suspending articles in adjustable spaced relationship above the bottom thereof and capable of displacing the suspension means to clear the area above the bottom thereof so that articles can easily be placed on the bottom thereof, comprising spaced lateral web rods, upstanding extensions of said lateral rods constituting side members, spaced longitudinal bottom rods, upstanding extensions of said longitudinal rods constituting end members, a frame connected to the ends of said upstanding extensions; said lateral and longitudinal web rods crossing one another and constituting a mesh bottom for supporting articles; a hinge bar adjacent one end of said basket, spit bars sidewise slidably and vertically pivotally mounted on said hinge bar, and a rest bar disposed at the other end of said basket opposite said hinge bar adapted to support the free ends of said spit bars when in a substantially horizontal position; said spit bars being adapted to be moved sidewise to any desired spaced relationship relative to each other and the sides of said basket so as to be capable of selectively supporting various size objects in non-contacting relationship over the bottom of said basket and so that said spit bars can be moved closely adjacent the sides of said basket and each other so as to clear the area over the bottom of saidbasket to facilitate disposing articles on the bottom of said basket, an extension on said spit bars adjacent the hinged end thereof, and a stop bar adapted to contact said extension when said bars are elevated slightly past vertical so as to holdsaid spit bars in an upright article receiving position.

3. An open mesh basket structure capable of suspending articles in adjustable spaced relationship above the bottom thereof and capable of displacing the suspension means to clear the area above the bottom thereof so that articles can easily be placed on the bottom thereof, comprising spaced lateral web rods, upstanding extensions of said lateral rods constituting side members, spaced longitudinal bottom rods, upstanding extensions of said longitudinal rods constituting end'members, a frame connected to the ends of said upstanding extensions; said lateral and longitudinal web rods crossing one another and constituting a mesh bottom for supporting articles; a hinge bar adjacent one end of said basket,spit bars sidewise slidably and vertically pivotally mounted on said hinge bar, and a rest bar disposed at the other end of said basket opposite said hinge bar adapted to support the free ends of said spit bars when in a substantially horizontal position; said spit bars being adapted to be moved sidewise to any desired spaced relationship relative to each other and the sides of said basket so as to be capable .of, selectively supporting various size objects insnon-contacting relationship overpthebottom of said basket and so that said spit bars can be moved closely adjacent the sides of said basket and each other so as to clear the area over the bottom ofsaid basket to facilitate disposing articles on the bottom of said basket and each other so as to clear the area over the bottom of said basket to facilitate disposing articles'on the: bottom of said basket, anauxiliary spit bar disposed below and paralleling said spit bar and connected thereto adjacent the hinged portion thereof, and means for supporting the free end of said auxiliary spit bar when substantially horizontal in article carrying position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 473,080 Pierre Apr. 19, 1892 781,313 Thomas Jan. 31, 1905 1,012,605 Davenport Dec. 26, 1911 1,798,387 Taylor Mar. 31, 1931 2,293,625 Patch Aug. 18, 1942 2,317,044 Faulkner Apr. 20, 1943 2,364,705 Geralds Dec. 12, 1944 2,646,186 Russell July 21, 1953 

